Summary
Motion graphics for historical photography, designed to bring archival material to life through parallax movement and visual layering.
Client
Production
Scope
Parallax Animation
Historical Content
Related
Motion Graphics
Location
Kavala, Greece
Year
2022
The Challenge
The objective was to transform static archival photographs into engaging short videos that offered historical insight while keeping the viewer’s attention between scheduled content. Each piece had to feel alive and cohesive, combining image restoration, animation, and graphic storytelling within a compact runtime.
The Brand
Cosmote TV is a major television platform in Greece, offering original programming across multiple genres. This project was produced by Gullwing, a creative studio responsible for the overall concept, production, and editing. The series, titled Past In Color, consisted of 12 short-form documentary segments, each around 3 minutes long, broadcast between programs as historical vignettes.
Design Approach
Preparation and Handoff
The process began with the selection and restoration of historical black-and-white photographs by the project’s historians and production team. After being colorized and layered by the studio’s graphic designer, each image was handed off for motion treatment.
Parallax Animation
The motion design focused on parallax techniques, simulating dimensionality and depth within the static images. Camera movement, image separation, and controlled layering were used to shift perspective and add cinematic presence.
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Graphic Enhancements and Integration
Additional graphic elements were introduced to reinforce spatial awareness or emphasize specific elements in the composition. These included light texture overlays, framing accents, and visual traces that guided the viewer’s focus.
Each animated sequence was then placed into a stylized newspaper mockup alongside its accompanying article text. The camera pushed through the page to transition into the motion scene. Layout animations were handled by the production team, with timing aligned to match the visual rhythm established during animation.
Sound Integration
A proposal was made late in production to include contextual sound effects alongside the music. This addition was developed by the sound department and aligned with the motion cues to subtly enhance each scene’s presence.
Parallax Breakdown
Full Process Breakdown
Outcome
Twelve short episodes were produced and broadcast on Cosmote TV, offering viewers a visually rich and accessible take on lesser-known historical moments. The animated treatment supported the storytelling without overshadowing the content. The collaboration led to further commissions between Cosmote TV and Gullwing.
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